Adjustable tension regulator for yarn



Nov. 10, 1959 E. VOSSEN 2,912,185

ADJUSTABLE TENSION REGULETOR FOR "YARN Filed April 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Lmmz I I O FIG. 2.

FIG. I.

INVENTOR EDWARD VOSSEN ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1959 E. VOSSEN 2,912,185

ADJUSTABLE TENSION REGULATOR F'ORYARN Filed April 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWARD VOSSEN ATTORNEY.

States Patent C) ADJUSTABLE TENSION REGULATOR FOR YARN Edward Vossen, Malverne, N .Y., assignor to Stop-Motion Devices Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Application April 11, 1957, Serial No. 652,216 1 Claim. (Cl. 242-150) This invention relates to an adjustable tension regulator for yarn.

Tension control of yarn in the knitting and textile industries has always been a major problem. Imperfect cloth can be the direct result of improper or uneven tension of the yarn in the machines which make the cloth. The problem of tension control is present in knitting, weaving, sewing and even Winding. Although the present invention is applicable to many machines used in these industries, such as knitting machines, sewing machines and yarn Winding machines, it is illustrated herein solely in connection with its application to knitting machines butit will be clearly understood that the same principles may be applied to these other machines and the claim is intended to encompass all uses and applications for which the invention is adapted.

Certain types of stitching require a predetermined amount of tension, in some cases relatively more tension and in other cases relatively less tension. In some cases no tension whatsoever is required and a slackcondition of the yarn is what is needed. The specific type and nature of the yarn add to the problem. Synthetic and natural yarns present different problems and since there are many different synthetic yarns and many different natural yarns the problems are multiplied.

Uneven tension or variations in tension can be caused by one or more of the following conditions: Sticking, poor winding, yarn cleavage, static electricity, density, temperature, humidity, friction, cone size and shape, and the quantity of yarn on the cone. This uneven tension, Whatever the cause may be, is translated into the finished cloth. It shows up as streaks and tucks and uneven relatively tight and relatively loose stitches.

To assure olean, even, symmetrical stitches, the yarn must be fed to the needles under evenly regulated preset'tension. It is therefore the object of this invention to provide an adjustable tension regulator by which the yarn tension may be set in advance of the operation of the knitting machine and by which such pre-set tension is automatically maintained during the operation of the machine.

The advance setting of tension is extremely important but maintaining the tension during actual operating con ditions is equally important. It would be fruitless to properly set the tension before the machine is put into operation only to have the tension disturbed and moditied by reason of operating'conditions.

The tension regulator herein claimed has two tension controls and two adjustments, one for each control. Both tension controls are set manually by their respective adjustments but once they are set they function automatically. The two tension controls function in series, so to speak, since both operate simultaneously upon the yarn and each tends to cooperate with and modify the other.

The yarn passes between a pair of cooperating friction elements which bear upon the yarn to control the yarn tension. One of the tension controls acts upon one of ice 2 these friction elements and urges it toward the second friction element. The second tension control acts upon the second friction element and urges it in the direction of the first friction element. Thus, both tension controls operate through the two friction elements to apply the necessary tension to the yarn. By the same token, while it is true that each tension control is individually adjustable, adjustment of either may affect the operation of the other so thatea ch adjustment must be made with regard to the operation of both tension controls.

In the operation of the tension regulator herein claimed, both tension controls are adjusted 'so as to provide optimum tension in theyarn. During the course of operation of the knitting machine, abnormal yarn feeding conditions may develop, tending to increase the yarn tension. The first tension control would thereupon automatically yield to theincreased tension in the yarn order to maintain the desired tension at the knitting station. the absence of the second tension control, this could have the effect of diminishing tension in the tension regulator to a dangerously low level and, indeed, under certain conditions all tension control would disappear.

The second tension control accordingly moves into the tension vacuum or partial vacuum left by the first tension control. This supplements the reduced tensional influence of the first tension control to the end that the combined action of the two tension controls is such as to maintain optimum tension in the yarn at the knitting station despite the ahnorrnal yarn feeding conditions which gave rise to this action. When the abnormal conditions vanish, the first tension control will resume its activity and the second tension control will thereupon cooperate with the first control to exert the pre-set tension upon the yarn. The result is a smooth flow of yarn u der bth mun- 1 a abno ma m feeding di? tions, and not the harsh pulsations that alternate release and tension would produce.

An important feature of this invention resides in the small, compact dimensions of the tension regulator here'- in claimed. Tension regulators are known but in all cases known to: applicant they are much too large to fit on knitting machines of modern design and capacity. In past years knitting machines had two, four, six and eight feeds. Today, they have thirty-two, thirty-six, forty, sixty-four and even up to ninety-six feeds. Each feed requires its own tension regulator. There is simply not enough room to fit known'tension regulators to these last mentioned maehines. The diminutive size of the tension regulator herein claimed is therefore not only desirable but actually essential to many of these multiple feed knitting machines. A i I i l The invention is illustrated in the accompanying draw ing in which: i i i i l Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of tension regulator made in accordance with this invention. i i

Fig. 2 is atop view thereof. i Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig; 4 is a horizontal section on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a second form of tension regulater made in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 6 is a top view thereof.

Fig. 7 is a front view, partly in section, on the line 77 Of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 88 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the first form of this invention and to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be observed that a bracket 10 is provided for securing the device to a suitable support on a knitting machine or on any other machine in which a yarn tension regulator as herein claimed may be used. A U-shaped bracket .12 is secured to said mounting bracket 10'. A pair of eyes 14 and 16 are pro: vided in the arms of said U-shaped bracket 12 and it 3 will be noted that yarn 18 is threaded through said eyes.

Projecting upwardly from the two brackets and 12 is a spindle 20 which is secured to said brackets by means of a nut 22 or any other conventionalmeans. The upper end of said spindle is hollow, as Fig. 3 clearly shows and it is also provided with external screw threads 24. Slidably mounted withinthe hollow upper end of spindle 20 is a rod 26 whose upper end is bifurcated and projects upwardly and outwardly from the spindle 20. A crosspin 28 is fixed to the lower, end of rod 26 and said crosspin projects outwardly at both ends through slots 30 in the hollow portion of spindle 20.

It will now be noted that pin 28 attaches rod 26 to a hub 32 on a ring 34. The hub and ring may be integral with each other and they are provided with a central bore 36 which enables them to be slidably mounted upon spindle 20. A compression spring 38 is mounted on spindle 20 above hub 32. and the lower end of said spring bears downwardly upon said hub while its upper end bears upwardly against a cap-shaped nut 40. This capshaped nut is in screw-threaded engagement withthe threaded upper end of spindle 20 as Fig. 3 clearly shows. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that a knurled surface 42 is provided on the outside of the cap-shaped nut 40 and it will be understood that this is intended to facilitate turning said nut by hand to adjust the tension of spring 38.

It will be obselved in Fig. 1 that a scale 44 is provided along the lower, outer peripheral edge ofthe cap-shaped nut 40. The purpose of this scale is to assist in precision adjustment of the nut so as to provide for precision adjustment of the spring. This is one of the two adjustments of this device.

The second of these two adjustments will now be discussed. It will be observed that there is a downwardly bent portion 10a at one end of bracket 10. An adjustment screw 50 is threaded into a tapped hole in said bent end portion 10a. The head 52 of said adjustment screw is knurled to facilitate adjustment of said screw by hand. A scale 54 is provided on shank 56 immediately below the knurled head 52. Below said calibrated shank 56 is a washer 58. It will now be seen that a leaf spring '60 is supported by U-shaped bracket 12, one end of said leaf spring being reduced and extending through a slot 62 in one of the arms of said U-shaped bracket, the opposite end of said leaf spring being also reduced and extending through a corresponding slot 64 in the other arm of said U-shaped bracket. The last mentioned end of leaf spring 60 continues into engagement with the underside of washer 58.

Leaf spring 60 is normally maintained in the bowed shape shown in Fig. 1. Its precise shape is controlled by adjustment screw 50 and consequently its tension is also controlled by said screw. When the screw is'rotated so as to move downwardly as viewed in Fig. 1, the how will become more pronounced and tension will increase and exert an increased upward force; When the screw is rotated in the opposite direction, the spring will tend to flatten out and the tensional force which it exerts in upward direction will be reduced. The scale 54 may be used to assist in determining the extent of angular movement of the screw in either direction for precise adjustment of the tension of the spring.

Slidably disposed on spindle 20 and resting upon leaf spring is a hub 66, corresponding, substantially, to hub 32. Secured to the top of hub 66 is a friction disc 68. Secured to the bottom of ring 34 is a second friction disc 70 which faces the'first friction disc 68 and cooperates therewith in frictionally engaging yarn 18 which passes between them. It will now be noted in Fig. 3 that a transverse hole 72. is formed in spindle 20. This hole is situated centrally of the two friction discs 68 and 70 and it will be understood that the yarn passes through said hole 72 on its way from eye 14 to eye 16. The yarn is thereby centered between the two friction It will now be evident that when compression spring 38 bears down upon' hub 32 and when leaf spring 60 bears up against hub 66, the result is to press the two friction discs 68 and 70 against the yarn 18 and thereby to apply a frictional force thereto which controls the tension and feed of the yarn.

At the top end of spindle 20 is a nut 80. A setscrew 82 in said nut is engageable with the spindle and the nut may be adjusted to any desired position on said spindle. Once such position is attained, the setscrew may be employed to lock the nut in such position. An arm 84 projects at one end into the bifurcated upper end of spindle. 20 and it will also be noted that there is a slot 86 in nut which also receives said last mentioned end of arm 84. A pin 88 pivotally secures said end of the arm to the bifurcated portion of spindle 20. A second pin 90 pivotally secures said arm to the nut 80. At the opposite end of arm 84 is a bracket 92 which carries an eye 94 for the yarn 18. It will be noted that after the yarn passes through eye 14 hole 72 and eye 16, it then passes through eye 94 on its way to the knitting machine needle.

In the operation of this device, the first step is to ascertain the pulling force required to move the yarn to the needle under normal conditions. This may be done by the use of conventional instruments. The adjusting members 40 and 50 are then set so as to adjust the frictional engagement of the two discs with the yarn corresponding to the required tension on the yarn. Should a temporary abnornal condition arise wherein the yarn experiences increased tension, the tension regulator herein claimed will automatically act to lessen the tension on the yarn to a point approximating normal tension. This happens in the following manner:

Under increased tension resulting from abnormal conditions, the yarn will pull upon arm 84 and cause it to swing in clockwise direction about pin 90 as viewed in Fig. 1. This will cause upward movement of rod 26 against the action of spring 38. Friction disc 70 will thereby be raised relative to the yarn and relative to friction disc 68, thereby lessening the frictional engagement of said discs against the yarn. But although such frictional engagement is lessened, it does not necessarily fully disappear since the friction disc 68 will now rise under the action of leaf spring 60 in order to maintain frictional engagement upon the yarn. Adjusting element 40 may be adjusted so as to determine the amount of pull required to pivot arm 84. Adjustment element 50 may be adjusted so as to control the upward pressure of friction disc 68. The two discs may be adjusted relative to each other by these two adjusting elements or by either of them. The primary adjustment, however, is the upper adjustment which is controlled by adjusting element 40 since this not only controls the downward pressure of disc 70 but it also controls the tension on arm 84. The secondary adjustment is the lower adjustment which is controlled by adjusting element 50. This adjustment controls only the upward pressure of disc 68. But it is obvious that the two adjustments modify and cooperate with each other.

Turning now to the second form of this invention and to Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, it will be observed that a bracket is provided which may be secured to a suitable support on a knitting machine or the like. Secured to bracket 100 is a U-shaped bracket 102 which has an eye 104 on one arm and a second eye 106 on its other arm. The yarn 108 is drawn through eyes 104 and 106.- A third eye 116 is provided on an arm 112 and it will be noted that the yarn passes through said eye as well.

Projecting upwardly from brackets 100 and 102 is an upright 114. Slidably mounted on said upright is a. friction disc 116 to which is secured a hub 118. The upright is a rectangular 'rod and consequently the openings in disc 116 and hub 118 which receive said rod must also be rectangular in shape. A wire spring 120 projects through .a slot 122 in upright 114 and through a coinciding slot 124 in hub 118. This wire spring is bowed, as Fig. clearly shows, and it extends through a hole 126 in arm 102a of the U-shaped bracket 102. It is then bent back and provided with a loop- 128 at its lower end which engages an adjustment screw 130. More precisely, loop 128 encircles the shank of said screw and abuts its head 132. The screw engages a tapped hole in the two brackets 100 and 102. Said screw may be adjusted in order to adjust the tension of spring 120 and thereby to adjust the upward pressure which said spring exerts upon the friction disc 116.

A second friction disc 134 is mounted upon the lower end of a sleeve 136. This sleeve is slidably mounted on upright 114. It will now be observed that a pin 138 is secured to the upright 114 and projects through openings 140 in sleeve 136. A compression spring 142 is mounted upon sleeve 136 and its upper end abuts pin 138. The lower end of spring 142 bears downwardly upon the lower end of a hollow nut 144 which is in screw threaded engagement with external screw threads on sleeve 136.

Nut 144 may be adjusted on sleeve 136 to adjust the tension of spring 142. Since this nut is in screw threaded engagement with sleeve 136 and since pin 138 is secured to the upright 114, it will be evident that spring 142 exerts a downward force upon said sleeve and hence upon friction disc 134 which is secured to said sleeve. This downward pressure upon friction disc 134, cooperating with the upward pressure of wire spring 120 upon friction disc 116 causes the two discs to frictionally engage the yarn between them. In this connection, it will be observed that the yarn is drawn through a hole 148 in upright 114 in order to center the yarn between the two friction discs.

It will now be seen that arm 112 is supported by a bifurcated bracket 150 which receives the upright 114 between its two arm portions 150a and 15%. This is shown particularly in Fig. 8. A crosspin 152 pivotally attaches said arm portions 150a and 15% to the bifurcated upper end 136a of sleeve 136. Said crosspin projects through a slot 154 in upright 114, said slot permitting vertical movement of the crosspin in a generally arcuate path. A second pin 156 pivotally secures arm portions 150a and 15% to a bearing 158 on upright 114.

In the operation of this device, the several steps above outlined with respect to the first form of this invention are followed. The two tension adjusting members 144 and 130 are adjusted to apply the desired tension upon the yarn. Under abnormal conditions, increased tension may be applied to the yarn externally of this device. The yarn would thereupon act upon arm 112 to swing it in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 about the axis of pin 156. This would cause sleeve 136 to rise against the action of spring 142, thereby moving friction disc 134 upwardly relative to the yarn and to friction disc 116. The latter friction disc will now move upwardly under the influence of spring in order to maintain at least some frictional contact between the two friction discs on the one hand and the yarn on the other hand. This will insure a smooth flow of yarn under regulated, even tension.

The foregoing is illustrative of preferred forms of this invention and it will be understood that these forms may be modified and other forms may be provided within the broad spirit of the invention and the broad scope of the claim.

I claim:

An adjustable tension regulator for yarn, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to a support on a knitting machine, an upright on said bracket, an arm pivotally mounted at one end on the upper end of said upright, a pair of friction discs slidably mounted on said upright in fac'e-to-face relationship, a spring connected to the lower of said friction discs and urging it upwardly in the direction of the upper rfriction disc and a second spring between the upper friction disc and the pivoted arm, said second spring urging the upper friction disc downwardly in the direction of the lower friction disc and urging the pivoted arm into upward position, a pair of eyes on opposite sides of the friction discs adapted to guide yarn between said friction discs, and a third eye on the free end of said pivoted arm adapted to receive the yarn from the first mentioned eyes, said upright having a hollow portion and a rod slidably mounted within said hollow portion, said pivoted arm being pivotally connected to said rod adjacent its pivotal connection with the upright, said rod being also connected to the upper friction disc, and an adjusting nut adjustably secured to said upright, said second spring being disposed between said adjusting nut and said upper friction disc, said second spring acting upon said rod by reason of the connection between said rod and the upper friction disc, said second spring also acting upon the pivoted arm by reason of the connection between said rod and said upper friction disc and the connection between said rod "and said pivoted arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 772,140 Ellison Oct. 11, 1904 2,158,828 Merkel May 16, 1939 2,209,839 Long July 30, 1940 2,646,943 Lindsay July 28, 1953 2,715,505 Atkins Aug. 16, 1955 

